APA Citation
Woolston, B. (2011). The Freak Observer. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Lab. ISBN: 9780761381327

Award
2011 William C. Morris Award

Summary
This book was about a young girl, Loa, who has recently gone through a tragedy. Her sister died and this event turned her family’s world upside down. Loa is trying to understand her grief and the grief of others. Throughout the book she has a character transformation from a young girl to a young woman. She is carrying a burden and the only thing stopping her from completely falling to pieces is observing the world around her.

Critique
I thought the way the character shows her raw emotions was amazing. I was able to really feel her grief and loneliness.

Curriculum Connection
KY.9-10.R.D.SC.3 Students will evaluate what is read, based on the author's purpose, message, word choice, sentence variety, content, tone, style or use of literary elements.

Genre
YA Fiction

Promotional Activity
For an activity for this book, I would do a book talk in the media center about first time authors. For the book talk, I would get a few authors that students already know like the first Harry Potter and the first Twilight book. The other books I would mix in are other William C. Morris Award winners to introduce students to new authors and the award.